5 Ways To Celebrate Halloween On A Budget

Halloween is approaching quickly, and you might be wondering how you’ll be able to afford a Halloween celebration or costume this year if money is tight. But have no fear; you can still host a rockin’ Halloween party on a budget and it’ll be as fun as ever! Here are a few of our favorite tips for celebrating Halloween on a budget.

5 Ways To Celebrate Halloween On A Budget

1. DIY that costume!

DIY and crafting aren’t everyone’s strong suit, so if you aren’t up for it this year, you can always grab an inexpensive costume from the local big box store or just forego dressing up this year. Or try a fun costume t-shirt that won’t break the budget and says you made an effort.

Costume Party Book: Easy-to-Make and Inexpensive Outfits for Halloween, Theatre, and Creative Play (Design Originals)

Making your own costume allows you be creative. It’s not a pre-packed costume from the store – it’s a one-of-a-kind creation that allows you to express yourself!

2. Shop Used!

Web sites like eBay and Craiglist are great places to find Halloween decorations and costumes that people are purging at a super discounted price. Or check out your local FreeCycle.org for what you need. If you don’t have a group in your area, you can sign up to be a moderator and get one going. It’s a minimal time commitment, and both you and your community benefit year round. Additionally, look for late in the season yard sales and shop for items that can be used for a costume or decor.

Of course, thrift stores like Goodwill and Savers are always interesting places to look for pieces for your costume. Prices are inexpensive, and their selection of weird and unusual stuff can’t be beaten. Good Will offers a free downloadable 2016 Living Amazing Halloween Guide with recipes, costume trends, Halloween fun facts, pumpkin carving templates, crafts, make-up and more to help you get going.

So what does Goodwill say is the must-have costume for 2016? For kids is Rey from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. They also give suggestions on what you’ll need to create this yourself. For adults, Wade Wilson from Deadpooland Harley Quinn from Suicide Squadare at the top of the list. Workout gear is the basis for the Quin and color blocked apparel and hair extensions in pink and blue for Quinn.

4. Reuse a costume!

The chances are that people probably won’t remember what you dressed up like last year. An excellent way to stay on budget is to recycle your previously worn outfit by adding a few changes to revive. Or swap with a friend. Their tired costume is new to you and vice versa. This is also a perfect way to outfit your kids for Halloween – hand-me-down costumes cost nothing! Don’t have anyone nearby to trade with? Check for a 2016 Costume Swap in your area. It happens the second Saturday in October. While the originators of the movement are no longer coordinating the event, there are many swaps still taking place across the US. If you don’t have one available, consider organizing one for next year!

4. BYOC!

Have a Bring Your Own Candy celebration! Ask everyone to bring a bag of their favorite candy to share. If you’d like to serve something beyond candy, ask guests to bring fun, spooky-themed appetizers or drinks to share. Most people don’t mind contributing, and it’s a great way to lessen the financial burden of a party so you can stick with your Halloween on a budget!

5. Dollar Store Decor!

Most of the time, the decor isn’t the most important part about Halloween, and if you’re rockin’ Halloween on a budget this year, this is an area where you don’t need to splurge. If you want to pick up a few things for decor, hit up your local dollar stores for some cheap decorative items that give the Halloween feel to your celebration. You’d be surprised what you can find there, and for only a buck too!

About The Author

A mom and wife, Connie blogs about entertainment, travel, living green, products, technology, DIY home remodeling and decor, and more. She's a vegetarian and animal lover and lives in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle, WA.
Find out more about Connie and all the bloggers here at Baby to Boomer Lifestyle on our About Us page.

Great tips, I never knew how much I loved Halloween until I started all these Halloween posts lately! 🙂
I’m going to DIY some costumes for my kids as a project for us this year, it’s a money saver and a fun activity.

These are such great tips! Yes to DIY YOUR COSTUME and shopping used which I like to tell my kids is all about upcycling and since you are only going to wear this costume once for the year it makes financial sense to DIY or upcycle!

Can I just say “amen” to the whole shop used idea? We have a place locally called the DI, which is filled with every kind of used everything. I don’t do Halloween new when there are so many great used deals!

Great ideas! We save money because since we moved into our home 14 years ago, we have had zero trick-or-treaters. We live in a semi-rural area that is pitch dark at night. My previous neighborhood brought me over 100 trick–or-treaters each Halloween!

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The writers at BabytoBoomer.com - Steve & Connie (the boomers), Alex & La the millennials with a 1-year old baby girl, and Brian and Mary Beth world travelers with a double income and no kids. Find out more ABOUT US here.

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BOOMERS: Connie is a green living vegetarian who loves to entertain, share great plus size fashion finds, create recipes and crafts (especially crochet, paper crafting, and decoupage), and work on home DIY with her husband, Steve. Steve is an avid hunter and fisherman who's handy at home DIY and home safety.

MILLENNIALS & BABIES:
Brian and Mary Beth are world travelers who've gone on a safari in Africa, traveled to New Zealand where they camped for 30-days and visited the monks in Myanmar. Traveling and live theater are their passions and they cover entertainment as well.

Alex is an avid outdoorsman and diver while La is a fitness fanatic and clean eating advocate. They welcomed their first child, Ame, on March 22, 2016. Both share their favorite entertainment with us - movies, music, animation, theme parks, and Disney.

Mom Blogger Katie is a stay-at-home mom of two small children.

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